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McDonalds and Burger King unveil limited-edition themed meals for the holidays. McDonalds introduces The Grinch Meal with Grinch-themed socks, while Burger King offers a SpongeBob SquarePants menu featuring unique items like SpongeBobs Krabby Whopper and Patricks Star-berry Shortcake Pie. Both promotions are available for a limited time.

Crunchyroll, a popular anime streaming platform, will discontinue its free, ad-supported tier on December 31, 2025. This change will require users to subscribe to a paid plan to access content. The free option previously served as an entry point for new viewers, but its removal may deter casual fans. Existing paid plans range from $8 to $16 per month, offering perks like high-definition streaming and offline downloads. Other free streaming services, such as Tubi, Pluto TV, and YouTube, remain available, though their selection may not match Crunchyrolls extensive catalog.

Coreweave, a cloud infrastructure provider for AI, had a challenging year. Despite a public offering that didnt meet expectations and a failed acquisition, the company continues to grow through strategic acquisitions. Coreweaves CEO, Michael Intrator, defended the companys performance, attributing some of the volatility to their innovative business model. The companys significant debt and use of Nvidia GPUs for financing have contributed to market uncertainty.

Naveen Rao, a renowned AI expert, has launched Unconventional AI with a $475 million seed round, valuing the startup at $4.5 billion. Led by Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Ventures, the funding aims to develop an energy-efficient AI computer, following Raos successful exits with MosaicML and Nervana Systems.

Experience the Geminids Meteor Shower: A Unique Asteroid-Born Spectacle - The Geminids, one of the years most spectacular meteor showers, starts on December fourth and peaks on the evening of December thirteenth. Known for their bright, colorful shooting stars, the Geminids can potentially shower us with over one hundred meteors per hour. Unlike most meteor showers, the Geminids originate from an asteroid named three thousand two hundred Phaethon, making it a truly unique celestial event. For the best viewing experience, head out on the evening of Saturday, December thirteenth, away from city lights, and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Justin McLeod, founder of Hinge, is stepping down to launch Overtone, an AI-driven dating app backed by Match Group. Overtone aims to create more thoughtful connections using AI and voice tools. Meanwhile, other apps like Tinder and Hinge are investing in AI for better matching and conversation starters. Jackie Jantos takes over as CEO, emphasizing transparency and authenticity. Despite AI, Hinges AI recommendation feature boosted matches and contacts by 15%.

Prepare for a dazzling aurora borealis display! NOAA predicts visible northern lights tonight across several states, following a geomagnetic storm. Caused by a coronal mass ejection from the sun, this event is part of the suns solar maximum period. Fifteen US states, including Washington, Idaho, and Minnesota, have prime viewing opportunities. However, the full moons light pollution may challenge visibility, especially for southern states. Head to high spots away from city lights and look north for the spectacle, and you might even catch the Geminids meteor shower.

Googles AI model, Gemini, is now accessible to the Department of Defense via GenAI dot mil, streamlining administrative tasks. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasizes its potential to enhance military effectiveness. Google assures unclassified work use and data privacy. This follows previous AI contracts and a shift in Googles AI policy, with plans for future AI models in the Pentagon.

Cashew Research, a Calgary-based startup, leverages AI to revolutionize market research, making it faster and more affordable. Founded by Addy Graves and Rose Wong, Cashew creates custom research plans and surveys, using AI to analyze real human data and provide actionable insights. Recognized for its innovative approach, Cashew has raised $1.5M in pre-seed funding and plans to launch a seed round in 2026, aiming to raise $5M to further develop its technology.